LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Barbaro was supposed to be taking on Bernardiniand Lava Man in the Breeders' Cup Classic this week, with Horse ofthe Year honors at stake.
"It's a shame that rivalry never happened," trainer Michael Matzsaid, his voice trailing off.
Matz is back at Churchill Downs, working in the same barn area andleading his horse for the Breeders' Cup along the paths where Barbarowalked on his way to a dominating victory in the Kentucky Derby.
Barbaro's career ended with a devastating misstep in thePreakness.
The 3-year-old colt was undefeated going into the Derby. He won by61/2 lengths, the largest margin in 60 years, and was touted as thenext Triple Crown champion and first since Affirmed in 1978.
"I thought for sure this horse would win the Triple Crown," Matzsaid Tuesday. "When he foundered, I thought, 'They're going to puthim down,' but he didn't want any part of it."
The first Saturday in May "seems like it was a long time ago,"Matz said. "I never really got a chance to reflect."
As he did so, Matz's voice broke and tears welled in his blueeyes. Moments later, he was composed and focused on saddling 4-year-old filly Round Pond in Saturday's $2 million Distaff.
"It's nice to be back having such fond memories from before," Matzsaid. "I just hope we have the same results."
Gretchen Jackson, who with her husband, Roy, owns Barbaro,understands how Matz is emotionally overwhelmed this week.
"He's had a lot of time to think about what happened," she said.
Barbaro remains at the University of Pennsylvania's New BoltonCenter in Kennett Square, Pa. His once-shattered right leg is nearlyhealed, while the hoof on his left hind leg, struck by laminitis, isbeginning to grow back.
Matz said he, the Jacksons and Dr. Dean Richardson, who hastreated the horse from the beginning, soon will decide whetherBarbaro can leave the clinic and spend the winter at the Jacksons'Pennsylvania farm.
"You keep your fingers crossed all the time," Matz said. "He'sdoing good right now."
Confined to his stall for weeks after surgery, Barbaro now goesoutside twice a day, and his weight is up to more than 1,100 pounds.
"Obviously, he realizes there's something different about himright now with that cast on his back leg," said Matz, who lives 10minutes away from the clinic. "He doesn't go out and gallop anymore.The other day I took him out. It was windy. I brought him right backin, because he was starting to kick at the leaves."
"We're so lucky. He's doing all right. Life goes on," Jackson toldThe Associated Press by cell phone as she prepared grass for Barbaroto munch on.
"If you don't look down at those hind legs, you'd say he looksgreat," she said. "His coat is shiny and glistening. He looks like avery healthy horse aside from his legs."
The public hasn't forgotten Barbaro, either, with apples, carrotsand cards piled up at New Bolton Center.
"He brought a lot of people together, that's for sure," Matz said,his voice hesitating.
Gretchen Jackson's difficult moments come when she and Matz aretogether at a track to watch a horse run that isn't Barbaro.
"It's a little sad for me," she said.
Most days, though, the Jacksons marvel at their good fortune inwinning the Derby.
"It's very exciting for us to think about it," she said.
The couple has fun with the winner's gold trophy, "moving itaround the house to see where we like it the best," she said.
Even without Barbaro, the Jacksons have a rooting interest in theClassic. They bred Irish runner George Washington, trained by AidanO'Brien and owned by Susan Magnier. It will be the colt's first raceon dirt and likely the final race of his career.
"It's going to be a real tough race," Gretchen Jackson said.
On the same day Barbaro won America's most famous race, GeorgeWashington won the 2,000 Guineas, the English classic for 3-year-oldcolts.
Barbaro will reunite his human handlers - Matz, the Jacksons,Richardson and jockey Edgar Prado - on Wednesday night when they'rehonored at the National Turf Writers Association awards dinner.
"Coming back, it'll bring nothing but warm, good happy feelings,"Gretchen Jackson said. "Once you've won an important race at a track,you feel like that track is always a part of your life."
Matz has the same feelings, but no answers for why Barbaro'scareer ended so gruesomely.
"Maybe there's a bigger reason why," he said. "He's definitelydone a lot for the sport."
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